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With minimal effort, you can easily create an inviting outdoor living space for entertaining your friends and family as the summer comes to a close. This living space can be simple, containing only a few of the basics or it can be as elaborate as you desire.

Often times, as homeowners, we develop and dream up several ideas for turning our backyards into a more appealing and fun place to spend time at home. We often tell, our friends, neighbors and family how great it would be to build a cozy little place for “getting out of the house”. Here are just a handful of ideas of great ideas homeowners can consider for their outdoor living space:

Covered picnic areas

Having a shaded place such as a Pergola or a Gazebo to bring the food outdoors is perfect for small and large backyard gatherings. Of course, there are low cost alternatives like a patio umbrella or gathering of shade trees if you’re running low on available space. The goal is to add a place that provides escape from the heat with a touch of character.

Outdoor Kitchen and Grill

If you plan on going out another important aspect of any outdoor space is the cooking station. It’s pretty simple to set up an open aired dining room with a grill and a few tables. You can also check out local surplus stores for some old cabinetry with a sink that you can refurbish and convert to an outdoor bar. A lot of times this kind of cabinetry can also be bought for next to nothing from homeowners who are in the process of remodeling their kitchens.

Don’t forget the furniture

A word of caution about outside furniture, you will want to cover your furniture or bring it indoors at night if you plan on using plump fabrics. With that being said, the craft loving homeowner will undoubtedly find this simple for the most part. However, for us un-crafty homeowners, secondhand cast-offs are perfect to use outdoors since there’s no need to worry if they come with a few dents or scratches.

A little Décor doesn’t hurt

Adding visually appealing elements to your yard can be money well spent. Planting fruit trees, plants and flowers in just the right places can really enhance the aesthetic impact of your home and provide an added boost to its curb appeal. Window boxes are an excellent ways to infuse your yard with nature, color warmth. Another way is to throw flowers into the mix is by adding borders to the front of your property along the fence or in strategically placed plant beds or raised bed gardens.

Conclusion

Remember, when it comes to home improvement projects, always make a plan before you start doing any work. There are several details you’ll need to plot out first like allotted room for cooking and recreation areas among others. Once you have everything planned out you can start the construction phase.

Your property is a space where you can create a unique kind of space that you and your family can enjoy for years to come; the kind of space where all your neighbors want to hang out and relax. Of course your budget must be considered, and you’ll have to decide whether or not you will do the work yourself or if you’re going to hire a contractor to do it. Reaching your goals and having your dreams come true takes planning, organization and thought, but the end result will be worth the effort.

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It’s easy to get a little stir-crazy in a small home, but having a clean, beautiful bathroom can do wonders for one’s peace of mind. A full remodel can turn your bathroom into a little sanctuary; but if you’re not ready to take that step, take a look at these easy ways to add a touch of elegance to a smaller bathroom.

1. Eliminate visual obstructions

One of the easiest ways to open up a room is to create visual depth, allowing the eye to reach as far back as possible into a room. Swap out your frosted glass door for a clear one, so that you can see all four walls. Consider eliminating a bulky full-size vanity in favor of a pedestal sink with a slimmer profile, so you can see more of your baseboards. In general, any change that lets light in or opens up your field of vision will make a small bathroom feel less cramped. Once you’ve opened up the room visually, keep it well lit! When the bulbs have burned out above the sink, replace them so that they fill the room with bright, multidirectional light.

2. Modernize your mirror

Many small bathrooms, particularly in older homes, have only a tiny mirror in front of the sink. A larger mirror scatters more light and can vastly increase the sense of space in your bathroom. If you live in a home that was built in the 1970s or 80s, you may be stuck with a mirror that is basically a slab of glass bolted to the wall—they look tacky and invasive, especially in a tight space. If the mirror is large enough, though, this is a relatively simple fix; simply frame the mirror with some classy trim. Rounding the harsh edges of a large mirror can help make the room feel less oppressive, and apply a simple, personal touch to make the room your own.

3. Pick a unified, light color scheme

Any room full of clashing colors will feel disordered and claustrophobic, and in particular, rich, dark colors suck up the light and make a room feel tighter. Since small bathrooms tend to get very little natural light to begin with, a dark color scheme can make your bathroom almost cave-like. To open things up, pick two light, compatible colors, and pick your rugs, paint/wallpaper, toilet seat covers, plumbing fixtures, and shower curtains to match. With a unified color palette, your bathroom will feel much more ordered, open, and peaceful.

4. Simplify your décor

Any tight space can start to feel “busy” if it’s overloaded. If your bathroom is packed with pictures, decorative accessories, towels, etc., try to pare down the clutter—one rug, one simple piece of art, and one towel per person. Choose area rugs, toilet seat covers, and towels that match, to reduce the “busy” look of competing colors. Also consider installing a recessed medicine cabinet, so you can keep your sink free of hygiene products and medicine. You’ll have to knock a hole in your wall, but it’s actually not as involved as it looks, and can really open up the space.

5. Create the illusion of depth

This one is a little bit of a cheat—instead of knocking down walls, you can trick the eye into perceiving space that isn’t there. Use textured wallpaper or spackling, or a piece of art depicting an outdoor scene, to create a sense of depth; even a  soft blue coat of paint can conjure up images of a cloudless sky, and make you feel less shut in. If your bathroom is long and narrow, painting the narrow end with a bold, darker color can stretch the room visually (this is called an “accent wall”).

Mike Freiberg is a staff writer for HomeDaddys, a resource for stay-at-home dads, work-at-home dads, and everything in between. He’s a handyman, an amateur astronomer, and a tech junkie, who loves being home with his two kids. He lives in Austin.

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The HomeDaddys staff is excited to have the crew over at HandymanConnection.com provide us with today’s guest post!

Home repair is a yearlong effort. However, the summer months emphasize specialized upkeep and home improvement projects that the rest of the seasonal home maintenance projects don’t have to deal with. In order for you to be comfortable in your house with everything working efficiently, it’s important to look into all aspects of your house, by doing so you can save money and stay on top of repairs that could worsen over time.

Deck repairs should be done before any problems arise. The last thing you want is to have people over on your deck and realize that a handrail is loose, that could turn into a major safety issue. With summer also being prime relaxing time on the deck, damage is sure to be noticed. The weather takes a toll on the deck, creating need for seasonal upkeep. Make sure to do the needed repairs before it gets worse. After the damage has been around for a while, repairing it can turn into an unnecessarily large and expensive project. Cracks can extend; wood can chip, boards can warp. Consider repainting or staining every once in a while to keep your deck in tip-top shape. If the lengthy project hours scare you away from home repair, consider using a handyman to get the job done before it gets worse.

With summer comes the enjoyment of fresh air through window and door screens. Don’t let a broken screen stop you from keeping the door open. Does it need adjusting? Should it be repaired or replaced? Having open windows can be enjoyable if the screen is in good shape. If there are rips, they could be inviting unwanted creatures into your home. Do the repairing while the summer is still here. That comfortable breeze is worth the effort.

Air conditioners are another often overlooked problem area. Check your air conditioner to make sure it is working properly. You might be throwing your money down the drain without you even realizing it. Leaks or loose connections may need repairing. Filters may need to be replaced. With frequent use during the hot weather, air conditioners need be working efficiently. Don’t waste your money by neglecting home repair.

Seasonal home upkeep can determine whether occasional repair takes a few hours or a few weeks. Make sure you keep up with any home repair issues that arise during summer. It can make the rest of the year more enjoyable and have your home working more efficiently. When some projects seem too impossible or time-consuming, don’t be afraid to get some help. Give Handyman Connection a call to get your free estimate today.

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